‘My 1500 hp Tesla will silently leave you in the dust’: Woman installs cams in her Ford Mustang GT. What’s the advantage?

'The premium versions of the Model 3 Teslas offer improved speed.'

Two panel design with a woman adding fluid to an engine build, next to a Ford Mustang GT

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A female mechanic showed off a modification in which she put camshafts in a Ford Mustang GT, but some debated whether that’s really a necessary move.

The video in question comes from creator Britney Friesen (@britneyautomotive). She posted it to Lemon8, which touts itself as a “lifestyle app powered by TikTok.” The Washington Post recently offered Lemon8 as a potential TikTok alternative should that app’s ban go into effect on Jan. 19.

In the video, she is depicted as she works on an engine, lending her own voice to the narration as she asks, “So, you want cams? What do you really hope to achieve by installing cams in your vehicle?”

The scene shifts to a vibrant orange Ford Mustang GT, its engine roaring as if poised to launch from 0 to 60 in a breathtakingly quick moment.

A camshaft is a crucial component in an internal combustion engine that controls the timing and movement of the engine's valves. It is a rotating shaft with specially shaped lobes that push against the valve lifters or rocker arms, opening and closing the engine's intake and exhaust valves at the correct intervals during the engine's operation. The design and timing of the camshaft are essential for optimizing engine performance, efficiency, and emissions.

According to How Stuff Works, a camshaft regulates the opening and closing of the engine’s intake and exhaust valves.

“The significance of the camshaft in a combustion engine is immense,” the article explains. “It governs the timing of the valve openings, playing a crucial role in the engine's airflow. The effectiveness of this mechanism is what enables a vehicle to move smoothly along the road or unleash its power with vigor.”

Is this really a wise choice, though?

The camshafts-in-a-Mustang proposition was explored in a Reddit post on the r/Mustang forum nine months ago.

"I've been considering adding a cam to my 2020 GT, but I'm uncertain about which options to choose and how reliable they would be," user MaziaFX shared with the community.

"One person pointed out, 'The factory cam is already quite aggressive. The way the camshaft is phased helps avoid that choppy sound, making it seem less intense. While they might see a power increase, it's likely one of the least cost-effective modifications for horsepower you can make.'"

"Unnecessary," replied another. "Numerous individuals are achieving over 1000 horsepower without modifying the engine, aside from upgrading oil pump gears and adding a power booster."

"Are you aiming for more than 1500hp?" one person inquired with a hint of sarcasm. "If not, then investing in cams is just throwing money away; better to put that cash towards boosting instead."

What people believed

Commenters shared their thoughts, with one expressing a particularly positive view of Tesla.

"My Tesla packs a whopping 1500 horsepower, and it will leave you in the dust without making a sound," that individual boasted.

Showing a picture of a neon green Mustang GT, another claimed, “OMG bro I’ve beaten Teslas on a 30 roll & 40 roll.”

Another individual, proclaiming that “American muscle is KING,” acknowledged that “top-tier Model 3 Teslas are quicker,” yet pointed out that they come with a price tag of at least $100,000. This person further asserted that their Mustang GT can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, arguing that Teslas cannot achieve that speed in under five seconds.

However, the Model 3 Performance’s site claims a 0 to 60 mph time of 2.9 seconds.

The Daily Dot has contacted Friesen through email and Instagram direct messages, as well as reaching out to Ford via email.